'Tightened up' - Lionel Messi injury update emerges after requesting substitution for Inter Miami

An injury update on Lionel Messi has been provided after the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced off with an issue in his final club appearance before the World Cup.

Messi, who led Argentina to a third World Cup triumph in Qatar, registered two assists in a thrilling 6-4 victory over Philadelphia Union at the Nu Stadium on Sunday night.

But he asked to be substituted with the score at 4-4 in the 73rd minute and headed straight down the tunnel after leaving the pitch, sparking concern ahead of the World Cup in North America.

The 38-year-old was seen rolling up his shorts and touching the back of his left leg.

Inter manager Guillermo Hoyos put Messi's withdrawal down to "fatigue" and said "we still don’t have information about this".

Hoyos explained: "He was tired; the pitch was heavy and when in doubt, the standard approach is always to ensure you don't take any risks."

However, further information did arrive courtesy of Argentine journalist Gaston Edul, who said that Messi's early withdrawal was a precautionary measure.

He stated that Messi did not suffer an injury and merely experienced tightness in his hamstring.

On X, Edul told his 1.1 million followers: "Leo Messi requested the substitution as a precaution because his hamstring tightened up. He has no muscle injury. He didn't keep loading the area or taking risks."

Messi was playing in his last game for the Herons before the World Cup break, with the Barcelona legend preparing for what looks likely to be his final major tournament.

Messi appeared to have some discomfort and held the back of his left leg. Image: Getty

Holders Argentina take on both Honduras and Iceland in World Cup warm-up fixtures in early June ahead of the showpiece, where they kick off their defence with a clash against Algeria on 16 June.

They then take on Austria and Jordan in Group J. Lionel Scaloni's squad is expected to be announced next week, with Messi set to appear in his sixth World Cup.

Argentina will base themselves in Kansas City, Missouri, where one of their group games will take place.

Their other two scheduled fixtures take place in Arlington, Texas at the AT&T Stadium.

Messi has scored a staggering 116 goals in 198 appearances for Argentina, including 13 goals across five World Cup tournaments.